ServSafe - Allergens Test 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A guest experiences hives, swelling, and difficulty breathing after eating. These symptoms most likely indicate:
- Mild food intolerance
- Foodborne illness from bacteria
- Anaphylaxis, a severe allergic reaction (Correct answer)
- A reaction to spicy food
Correct answer: Anaphylaxis, a severe allergic reaction
Hives, swelling, and difficulty breathing are classic signs of anaphylaxis, a potentially fatal allergic response.
Question 2: Which of the following is the correct first step when a customer reports experiencing an allergic reaction in your establishment?
- Offer the guest an antihistamine from the first aid kit
- Contact emergency services (call 911) immediately (Correct answer)
- Ask the guest to wait and see if symptoms improve
- Refund the guest and ask them to leave quietly
Correct answer: Contact emergency services (call 911) immediately
Anaphylaxis can worsen rapidly, so emergency services must be contacted immediately.
Question 3: Which of the following foods is most likely to contain wheat as a hidden ingredient?
- Plain rice
- Soy sauce (Correct answer)
- Fresh orange juice
- Steamed broccoli
Correct answer: Soy sauce
Traditional soy sauce is made with wheat and contains gluten, making it a common hidden wheat source.
Question 4: A food handler accidentally uses a pan that was used to cook fish to prepare a chicken dish for a guest with a fish allergy. Which action should be taken?
- Serve the chicken if it is fully cooked to the correct temperature
- Discard the chicken and prepare a new serving with clean equipment (Correct answer)
- Rinse the chicken with water to remove any fish residue
- Add extra seasoning to mask any fish flavor
Correct answer: Discard the chicken and prepare a new serving with clean equipment
Any food prepared with cross-contact from an allergen must be discarded and remade with clean, dedicated equipment.
Question 5: Tree nuts are a major allergen. Which of the following is classified as a tree nut?
- Peanut
- Walnut (Correct answer)
- Water chestnut
- Coconut used in savory dishes
Correct answer: Walnut
Walnuts are tree nuts; peanuts are legumes, and water chestnuts are aquatic vegetables.
Question 6: What information should be included on an allergen alert ticket used in a restaurant kitchen?
- The guest's name, table number, specific allergen(s), and any special preparation instructions (Correct answer)
- Only the table number and order details
- The server's name and the allergen only
- The guest's medical history and allergy medication
Correct answer: The guest's name, table number, specific allergen(s), and any special preparation instructions
An allergen alert ticket must clearly communicate the guest's identity, location, allergen(s), and prep requirements to kitchen staff.
Question 7: A food handler with a latex allergy should be aware that some foods can trigger a similar reaction due to latex-fruit syndrome. Which food is commonly associated with this condition?
- Blueberries
- Bananas (Correct answer)
- Watermelon
- Grapes
Correct answer: Bananas
Bananas, along with avocados and kiwis, are commonly associated with latex-fruit syndrome due to shared proteins.
ServSafe - Allergens Test 5
A guest experiences hives, swelling, and difficulty breathing after eating.
These symptoms most likely indicate: